Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 268: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

cy erp eg naa PE TE a ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 288 ‘‘and then refuse to give up the will unless ten thousand more be added.” , “Don’t you think that’s letting him off too cheap ?”” put'in Ned Bush, by way of remonstrance, “We mustn’t try for more,” the other made answer, ‘lest in our avarice we overlook our main oint.”’ . a I see,” said Ned Bush, “‘it’s no use grasping at the shadow to lose the substance.” “A sudden fit of honesty may seize our dupe, and then the will——’’ ‘‘ Becomes worthless.”’ ‘You know we dare not make the matter public.” “Dare not!” exclaimed Ned Bush, in a fury; “and pray, why ?” ‘Merely because,’ resumed his confederate, ‘if we pursue such a course we must acknowledge how we came possessed of the precious document.” “Well,” replied the robber, in his usual morose manner, “ you can say I found it.” ‘But you didn’t ; you stole it.” 66 Ha {33 “Stealing wills, as you are aware, is a Tyburn job,” “Tg it!” coolly remarked the individual addressed, who suddenly sobered down at the announcement, “then I shall with you object to its being\made public.” “Where is Roving Jack now?” asked Geoffrey Bradshaw. ‘“In the room beneath us,’”’ replied Ned Bush ; ‘Nat Wetherby is ‘amusing’ the gentleman with doses of strong waters.” ‘““Ts he drunk yet, think you ?” “No; but damned obstinate.”’ ‘He don’t seem to take to the brandy at all kindly,” continued the robber. ‘“He’s thinking, most likely, of his uncle’s will, and that ill disposes him to drink.” “T think I’ve discovered a way that will settle the affair out of hand in a jiffey.”’ ‘Hush! they are coming.” Geoffry Bradshaw had hardly uttered these words when the parties he had been speaking of made their appearance and entered the room. Nat Wetherby, garnished with a bottle, seemed slightly inebriated. Roving Jack, on the contrary, presented a sober aspect. { ‘“‘T’ll take no more,” he said, addressing the high- wayman, who was pressing the liquor on him. “ Another glass, my friend,” cried the latter, still importuning our hero, “’tis right good Nantz.” ** Not a drop.” While Roving Jack refused the spirit he en- countered Geottrey Bradshaw, whom he now ad- dressed, ‘““Well met, sir; we will, if you please, settle our business without further delay. Where is my uncle’s will ?” ‘In this house ; and, since I have answered your question, be good enough to answer mine, Sir John,” cried Geoffrey Bradshaw. ‘“ Where is your money ?” ‘Yes ; where is your money ?” echoed Ned Bush, “We must see that to know that we are on the right side,” “T dare say the gentleman means to act honour- ably,” hiccuped Nat Wetherby. Muttering to himself, he continued, ‘I only wish I had the good fortune to meet him by moonlight alone on Hounslow Heath,” ‘When I see the will, the money will be yours,” exclaimed Roying Jack, with hauteur. T mm ee ee “But you must give us some assurance,” replied Geoffrey Bradshaw, “ that you really have it.” “ Will not my word content you ?” “No; I have given up taking men’s words,” con- tinued the cunning tempter, “ever since I was seventeen ; therefore, before I move a step further, I must ascertain whether the cash is to be forth- coming after I have performed my stipulation,” Roving Jack made no reply to this positive demand. For a time he hesitated how he should act under the emergency. At length he appeared to have decided. There was 4 pause. Suddenly but slowly he drew forth a large canvas bag. - This receptacle contained notes and gold, with a cheque signed, The sum exposed amounting altogether to £5,000. “You shall have the unsealed will for this amount, so I’ll take the loose coin as an earnest.” Geoffrey Bradshaw, with these words, hastily snatched the bag ; but his attempt to obtain it was frustrated by our hero, who, with an equally rapid action as his opponent, placed the money again in the pocket from which he had taken it. * Not a penny will you touch !” he thundered, as he cast a defiant glance at his nefarious companions, ‘till I have the will you have promised me.” “Let's kill him outright,” said Ned Bush, in an undertone to Geoffrey Bradshaw, to whom he had advanced, and producing a dagger as he uttered the words. “No murder if it can be helped,” rejoined Nat Wetherby, who had overheard the last remark, “The gentleman acts fairly enough, I consider,” he continued, ‘< Silence !”’ said Bradshaw, crossing to the speaker, *‘ you don’t know our game,” ‘Not exactly, perhaps,’ answered Nat Wetherby, smiling; ‘‘ but I perceive you mean it to he a Winning one.” Roving Jack having replaced his money, gazed with suspicion at his companions, and murmured, “ Tam evidently among desperate characters ; pos- sibly, after all, only lured here to be murdered. I must endeavour to leave this terrible place at once.” Suiting the action to the words, our hero ad- vanced to depart, when Bradshaw, anticipating his purpose, dashed forward, and restrained him. “Hold, young man,” he cried out, “ we cannot suffer you to quit us,” “Hal? “Ned Bush,’ continued Bradshaw, “lock the door,”’ The order was obeyed; but too late to prevent the presence of a stranger. Violet Tremaine, instructed by Simon Smut, had managed to enter the chamber stealthily during the preceding conference, Unnoticed by any one present, she had glided into one of the corners where she was able to con- ceal herself by remaining behind the curtains that enclosed it, From her hiding-place she could witness all that passed before her, and give notice to those whom she expected would soon arrive to her succour. “Don’t look so disturbed, Sir John,” said Brad- shaw, disdainfully, at Roving Jack, when he had intercepted him, “ we mean to keep faith with you. You should have let us taken your cash, and you would have had your uncle’s will before this, ’Tis secreted in the attic above this room, and there remains till you consent to our terms,”